I have an 05 convertible and I am the second owner, bought from my cousin's wife. It was garaged every day at home and in a garage when she was at work. I have kept that up since I bought it two years ago. I've put the Mini top conditioner on it each year since I bought it. My question is: how long can I expect the top to last?

 

If you baby it like that , a long time. Dirt and sun and the biggest wear items. Keep it clean and you should be good.
I recommend lubing all the hinges in the mechanism twice a year. I think this will go a long way to keeping the operation good. Cable and motor failures are more expensive than replacing the canvas.


There are a couple of wear spots, near the side windows and under the rear glass. One guy on here puts a piece of cloth in those spots before fully opening the roof to prevent wear.

 

Thanks, Aspen
What I forgot to say is that the top is inoperative, sunroof cassette ruined by the Mini of Grand Rapids, and the rest of the retracting mechanism had an issue, all told near $8,000 to repair according to Mini of Portland. So, it is a non-convertible convertible. I really like the car, but now I wish I'd bought a coupe instead because I know that this top will eventually go bad.

 

I've seen convertible roof oil on outmotoring.com. Can I used 3-2-1 oil since I have that on hand?

 

Sure, put some in a dish and use a Q-tip to apply. A spray can with a straw helps to get some of the tough to get at spots. Just don't get it on the canvas.

 

That oil is the hydraulic oil: For the convertible top motor / container on the driver rear beside the trunk.

Mfg Part# 54340394395

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2804244__ES2676935/



Helps the top move a little smoother up and down.


You can lift the top and oil the pivot joints, which helps with the " squealing pig " sound some people have when the factory white grease dries up. Q tip is good and some WD40 or very thin grease.